e days, and a large sum out of the travelling purse of
Albert von Sturmfeder. It would appear that the fifer of Hardt never
knew a word about this deposit whether it was, that his wife did not
find the piece of gold, or that she did not like to inform him of it,
fearing lest he might return the present to the donor, and thereby
affront him. But so much is certain, that the musician's wife was
shortly after seen in church dressed in a new gown, to the astonishment
and envy of all the women of the neighbourhood, and her daughter
Barbelle wore a beautiful bodice of the finest cloth, trimmed with
gold, which had never been seen before, at the next feast, kept in
commemoration of the dedication of the church. She was always seen to
blush, also, whenever any of her companions felt the texture of the new
bodice and congratulated her upon the acquisition of it. Such was the
effect which a single piece of gold produced in the village of Hardt,
in those good old times!

Albert found his conductor sitting on the appointed milestone. She
jumped up as soon as he arrived, and walked with a quick pace beside
his horse. The girl appeared much more cheerful than the day before.
The fresh air of an April morning had given her cheeks a high colour,
and her eyes sparkled with kindness. Her costume was well adapted for a
long walk, for her short petticoats did not impede her progress. A
basket hung on her arm, as if she were going to market. But neither
vegetables nor fruit were contained in it, which was generally the case
on such occasions; she only carried a large shawl, as a precaution
against April showers. The young man thought to himself, as his
companion walked by his side, what a housekeeper she would make for
some country swain, who should be fortunate enough to possess her for a
wife!

She had inherited much of the vivacity of her father's character. For
in the same way that he beguiled the time of his companion on their
journey over the Alb, by relating stories and pointing out the
principal features of the country, did she draw his attention to the
most beautiful points of view of the surrounding vallies and mountains;
or imparted to him, unsolicited, the popular anecdotes of castles, or
other striking objects.

Choosing the most unfrequented paths, she led her guest only through
two or three villages, and rested awhile after every two hours' walk.
At last, after having made four such stations, a town was seen about a
short